Mixed Refrigerant Market

Market Overview

The Global Mixed Refrigerant Market Size is projected to grow at CAGR of approximately 4.1% during the forecast period.

The term "Mixed Refrigerant Market" is used to describe the business that creates and distributes refrigerant mixes for use in cooling systems including air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers. The temperature and pressure constraints of a given application often necessitate the use of a combination of many refrigerants.

Demand for refrigeration and air conditioning across a wide range of industries, including as the automotive, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, has contributed to the expansion of the mixed refrigerant market in recent years. Because of their superior thermodynamic characteristics, mixed refrigerants are favored over single-component refrigerants in most cooling systems.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

• Demand for AC and Refrigerators continues to Rise

Mixed refrigerants are in high demand because of the expanding use of refrigeration and air conditioning systems in a wide range of businesses, including the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical sectors. These systems benefit greatly from the use of mixed refrigerants because to their efficiency, safety, and low environmental impact.

• Strict Rules

a number of international frameworks for regulating the use of dangerous refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have been put in place. Because they have a lower ODP and GWP than conventional refrigerants, mixed refrigerants are a practical alternative.

Low energy consumption and maintenance costs are achieved through the use of mixed refrigerants due to their high efficiency. More and more industries, including the automotive and aerospace sectors, are adopting mixed refrigerants as a means to reduce their energy use.

There has been a rise in the demand for car air conditioners as a result of the booming auto sector. Due to their increased efficiency and reduced environmental effect, mixed refrigerants are quickly gaining popularity in this sector.

Because of technological progress, new, more efficient and less harmful mixed refrigerants have become available. The development of the mixed refrigerant market is being fueled by the introduction of cutting-edge solutions that provide both increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Market Restraints

• High Initial Investment

Businesses on a tight budget may be hesitant to use the mixed refrigerant technology due to its high initial investment requirements.

Producing, transporting, and handling mixed refrigerants can provide a number of safety risks due to their combustibility and toxicity.

Because of their detrimental effects on the environment, some refrigerants, in particular those with a high GWP, are subject to stringent restrictions. Mixed refrigerants containing such compounds may be used less often as a result of this.

Market Opportunities

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems are in high demand because of the expanding building sector and the growing need for reliable and cost-effective cooling and heating options.

Constant progress is being made in the area of technology used for mixed refrigerants. These developments are increasing the technology's usefulness while decreasing its ecological footprint and monetary cost.

More people are becoming aware of the need of taking care of the environment, and this has spurred the use of more eco-friendly refrigerants like mixed refrigerants.

The use of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants is being encouraged by governments throughout the world in an effort to lessen the negative effects of these chemicals on the environment. Because of this, blended refrigerants are becoming more widely accepted by regulators.

The usage of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants has been a focal point in the mixed refrigerant industry in recent years. In contrast to high GWP refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have a GWP value in the hundreds, low GWP refrigerants have a GWP value of less than 150. Global rules that aim to lessen the environmental effect of refrigerants are pushing the usage of low GWP refrigerants, particularly mixed refrigerants.

The increasing demand for refrigerants in LNG production is another development in the mixed refrigerant industry. To turn natural gas into a liquid that can be transported and stored more easily, refrigerants are used in the LNG manufacturing process. Because of their application in the liquefaction process, mixed refrigerants are projected to see increased demand as the demand for LNG continues to rise.

Market Scope

Segmental Analysis

Segment by Type

• Azeotropic Mixed Refrigerant

Blends of refrigerants that act as if they were a single component, with a consistent boiling point and composition, are known as azeotropic mixed refrigerants. When a certain performance or temperature characteristic requires a refrigerant blend, an azeotropic blend is utilized.

• Non-Azeotropic Mixed Refrigerant

Blends of two or more refrigerants that do not act like a single component are known as non-azeotropic mixed refrigerants. These mixtures are more challenging to manage since their boiling points and constituent parts change. In some contexts, however, their performance characteristics can even outperform those of azeotropic mixes. Commercial and industrial refrigeration systems frequently employ non-azeotropic mixes.

Segment by Application

• Air Conditioner

Air conditioners typically employ a combination of refrigerants to provide cooling. The heat in the interior space is transferred to the outer environment via the refrigerant. It is possible to increase energy efficiency and decrease environmental effect by using mixed refrigerants in air conditioning systems.

• Cold Closet

Mixed refrigerants are also utilized in cold closets, walk-in coolers, and freezers for storage purposes. Food, medicine, and other perishables can be stored safely at a low temperature with the help of these systems. It is possible to keep the storage compartment at a consistent, low temperature by using a combination of refrigerants.

• Cargo Cooling

Mixed refrigerants are also employed in cargo cooling applications, where they are used to keep cargo containers at a cold temperature while in transit. This is crucial for the transport of perishable items like food and medicine, where quality and safety must be maintained at all times. Cargo refrigeration systems that employ a combination of refrigerants have been shown to be more efficient and consume less power.

Regional Analysis

The Global Mixed Refrigerant Market is segmented by region as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa.

Demand for commercial, residential, and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning solutions has made North America one of the world's largest markets for mixed refrigerants. Due to the presence of big competitors and considerable demand, the United States is the region's largest market. High global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant use is heavily regulated in the region, another factor pushing people toward using mixed refrigerants.

Another large market for mixed refrigerants is Europe, where efforts are being made to lessen the negative environmental effects of traditional refrigerants. The introduction of low GWP refrigerants, especially mixed refrigerants, is being driven by the EU F-Gas legislation. The expansion of the industry may be attributed in part to the abundance of HVAC and refrigeration equipment producers in the area.

Due to rising demand in line with rising urbanization and building activity, as well as rising temperatures, the market for mixed refrigerants is booming in the Asia-Pacific region. China's massive population and burgeoning economy make it the region's most promising consumer market. The expansion of the business is aided by the abundance of chemical and refrigerant producers in the area.

Because of rising demand for air conditioning solutions, expanding food and beverage production, and government measures to lessen the environmental effect of refrigerants, Latin America is a promising market for mixed refrigerants. The demand for cooling and heating systems is particularly high in Brazil, the largest market in the area.

Due to factors such as rising building activity, rising demand for air conditioning systems, and the use of mixed refrigerants in liquefied natural gas production, the Middle East and Africa are developing markets for mixed refrigerants. High demand for air conditioning systems and the presence of significant companies have made the United Arab Emirates the largest market in the area.

Key Players

1. Honeywell International Inc.
2. Lennox International Inc
3. Chemours
4. Wilhelmsen group
5. Zhejiang Sanmei Chemical
6. Zhejiang Yonghe Refrigerant Co
7. Zhejiang Ze China Fluorine Chemical Co., Ltd
8. Quzhou Rongqiang Chem Co
9. Jiangsu Bluestar Green Technology Co

Recent Developments

To meet rising demand for mixed refrigerants in the liquefied natural gas industry, Air Products stated in April 2021 that it will expand its industrial gases production plant in Louisiana, USA.

Linde's new mixed refrigerant, L80, will be released in November 2020. This product is intended to increase efficiency and decrease environmental impact in low-temperature refrigeration systems.

The Opteon XL41 refrigerant from The Chemours Company, a new low GWP mixed refrigerant made for commercial and industrial refrigeration applications, will be released in September 2020.